On May 8 Google’s IO developer conference kicks off. Running across three days, we’re looking forward to a plethora of news and updates regarding what Google has in the works for 2019 and beyond.
Here’s some of what we’re expecting.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/05/how-to-watch-googles-i-o-2019-keynote/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/google-IO-2019-2-410×231.jpg” title=”Watch Google’s I/O 2019 Keynote Right Here” excerpt=”It’s that time of year again. Google’s I/O 2019 Developer’s Conference is just around the corner and this is how you can watch the keynote live.”]
The conference kicks off at 03:00am AEST on May 8 with a keynote, which will be live streamed online. We have all the details on how you can watch live here.
Google Pixel 3a And 3a XL
Thanks to an avalanche of leaks, the official unveiling of a new mid-range Pixel 3 is basically confirmed for the conference.
Rumours include a 5.6-inch 1080p screen, Snapdraon 670 processor, 4GB RAM, a 3,000mAh battery and a 12MP rear camera.
The most recent leak, which included US Pricing (starting at $US399 for the 3A and $US479 for the 3A) and the ‘Purple-ish’ device colour, also revealed May 7 as the launch date – which will be May 8 for us Aussies. So it stands to reason that it will shown off sometime on day one, if not during the keynote itself.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/05/latest-google-pixel-3a-leak-reveals-pricing-and-launch-date/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/google-3a-410×231.jpg” title=”Latest Google Pixel 3A Leak Reveals Pricing And Launch Date” excerpt=”Just when you thought that more details about Google’s upcoming ‘budget’ Pixel couldn’t possibly leak, here come the price tags”]
Android Q
There’s been a couple of updates to Android Q since in the couple of months since it launched, and we’re looking down the barrel of another one.
Android Q Beta 3 will most likely have some more significant updates – and while we don’t have all the details yet, we do know a few things.
Security is going to be a key focus, giving users the ability to limit what apps can do in the background, such as location tracking.
We’re also going to see floating app bubbles (think Facebook Messenger chat heads) that will let use them without using the app you’re currently in.
The addition of a tool Dynamic Depth will allow bokeh effects to be created on images, and on the audio side of things there will be support for directional microphones.
Lastly, this will be the first update that has major support for foldables.
While it’s unlikely that the name will be revealed (that’s usually reserved for August), I’m still gunning hard for Android Quince. Quince jam, for example, is god tier. Do it, you cowards.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/03/a-delicious-list-of-android-code-names/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/pie-410×231.jpg” title=”A Delicious List Of Android Version Names” excerpt=”Android Pie isn’t even universal across all smart phones, but the beta for Android Q is already out. We’re yet to discover which tasty treat it will be named after, so we thought we’d take a look back on what has been used so far.”]
Google Stadia
Announced back in March, we’re hoping to get some more details on Google’s upcoming cloud-based gaming service. Considering that there is at least one dedicated session for it in the I/O 2019 schedule, our fingers are promptly crossed.
Despite demonstrations of both the system and its dedicated controller, we are still lacking some details around Stadia, such as pricing and a hard release date. Some more clarification around how Google plans to combat latency would be nice, too.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/03/all-the-detail-about-stadia-googles-huge-bet-on-the-future-of-gaming/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/qvjwrzarc30blfiihvsh.jpg” title=”All The Details About Stadia, Google’s Huge Bet On The Future Of Gaming” excerpt=”Google is taking on the big guys. In a keynote at Game Developers Conference in San Francisco today Google announced a new service, Stadia, that will allow gamers to play the biggest games on any Android or Chrome-based device (including any device with a Chrome browser).”]
Google Nest
Thanks to an accidental leak by Google itself, we know about the existence of the Nest Hub Max.
It got removed pretty fast, but we do know that it will be a device with a 10-inch HD screen, a Nest camera and stereo speakers.
This leak occurred around the same time as the Pixel 3a, so if this thing exists at all, we’re thinking that a keynote reveal might just happen.
Android Automotive
Android Automotive (Google’s vehicle-based OS) has been a fixture at I/O for the past few years, but we’re finally going to see it built into a vehicle that you can buy with cash money. Specifically, the Volvo Polestar 2.
It looks a whole lot like Android Auto, but with some extra bells and whistles – including extra apps and the Google Play store. According to a recent blog post, devs will be able to start creating apps for Android Automotive soon.
We’re also expecting to see some updates to Google Assistant, Google Lens and Google photos, among a bunch of other things across both software and hardware. Keep your eyes peeled on Gizmodo for all the latest news out of I/O 2019.